The Digirule 2U Microcomputer Replica/Trainer Review: Part 1

This is the first part of my review of the Digirule 2U microcomputer trainer and early microcomputer replica developed by Brad Slattery and Brent Hauser. This is the fourth version of the Digirule after the Digirule, Digirule 2, and Digirule 2A that intend to both teach how microcomputers work and how the computers of the 1970s (e.g., the Altair 8800) were programmed. I love how intuitive the interface is and how long the computer runs on a single CR2032 coin cell battery. It even includes a USB-C port for debugging and pads for directly interfacing other electronics, such as another Digirule 2U or a sensor. The other similar computer I’ve reviewed is the NanoKenbak and this is far more intuitive to program given the provided address and data LEDs (instead of just data LEDs). In this part of the review, I show the basic features of the computer and demonstrate entering in a simple program assembled from source (Kill the Bit). The second part of the review will further demonstrate the available software to